NYE 2013-2014: Where to welcome the New Year in the Netherlands!

If you happen to be in the Netherlands for New Year's Eve, then you’re in luck!

There are plenty of parties, exciting events, and amazing activities that will have you sipping champagne, devouring olliebollen and boisterously shouting Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

So stop procrastinating and start preparing by having a look at some of our suggestions on how to rock, drink, dance, cavort or (elegantly) stumble your way to 2014!

Where to go clubbing

The organisers of these events are upping the ante for New Year’s Eve with special DJ line-ups and exclusive venues to have you dancing into the early morning.

› Amsterdam

Wunderkind Trouw is kicking off their last year before shutting down for good in 2014 with TweeduizendTrouw featuring residents Tim Hoeben, Tom Trago, and Job Jobse.

Be sure to stick around as they go all night long when Trouwens extends into the next day featuring Berlin legend Dixon amongst a slew of others.

Meanwhile, Dekmantel will be hosting the celebrated LA-based DJ Harvey for a very special 6-hour debut set at the MC Theater and North Sea Jazz Club.

Breaking the electronic trend, Rock the Boat at the intimate Bitterzoet promises to have you bumping and grinding your way into 2014 with Full Crate bringing the best R&B this side of the IJ.

› Rotterdam

For those looking to dance into New Year’s Day, Toffler in Rotterdam is hosting an all Dutch house, tech, and progressive line-up of Michel de Hey, Benny Rodrigues, Joey Daniel and Jeff Moore & Jamie Lie A Kwie. 

› Haarlem

Hed Kandi is bringing their signature uplifting house music and transforming the beautiful 19th century Philharmonie building into a massive club with live dancers, fireworks and of course glitter cannons. 

Enjoy Themed Parties?

Looking to be transported back to the 1920s? 1960s? Be part of the Freaqshow? Then these themed parties are for you!

› Amsterdam

Q-dance returns to the Ziggo Dome for Freaqshow, a massive hard-style rave. Discover yourself and let loose with the other "lost souls."

Always wanted to know what Havana was like in its hey-day? Thanks to Cuba Libre you’ll be able to welcome the New Year in pre-revolutionary Cuban style at the beautiful Felix Meritis where you'll sip rum, watch live dancers and mambo, rumba and cha-cha into 2014! 

› The Hague

If glam, gangster and Gatsby are more your style, then head to Paard van Troje where they’ll be hosting three rooms of 1920s glitz inspired by Boardwalk Empire.

Get your Steve Bucemi on and dance to swing, 80s and 90s and today’s hits surrounded by disco balls, champagne and burlesque! 

› Utrecht

Let your inner magician loose at the Nightlife Circus at Central Studios where Agoria, Carl Craig, Boris Werner, Secret Cinema and others will spin as ringleaders to a three-area matinee. 

Warehouse Parties

Repurposed warehouses always seem to capture that "it" factor that make them the perfect place to party: abundant dancing space, multiple rooms, industrially chic and the music to have you humming "eat, sleep, rave, repeat."

› Amsterdam

Reaktor will host a New Year’s Eve festival in the H7 Warehouse complex featuring three different areas, a monstrous sound system, stunning visuals and the sounds of Sandrien, Surgeon, Mike Dehnert and Shifted amongst others. 

› Rotterdam

Pakhuis returns to the magnificent Westelijke Handelsterrein with a massive New Year’s Eve party featuring eight areas, over 40 artists, a midnight restaurant, and a central connecting "street" where party-goers can eat, drink and socialise! 

The former grain silo, Maassilo, will see the return of Nachtduik with a colossal line-up featuring a special six-hour set by Speedy J and support by Mr. G, Kink, Secret Cinema and Todd Terje. 

Fireworks and where to see them

What would New Year’s Eve be without the dazzling explosions to mark midnight? 

› Amsterdam

Hed Kandi is just too big to be contained to one venue…or to land for that matter. The glamorous lifestyle brand commandeers Amsterdam’s OceanDiva for a cruise on the IJ to watch the fireworks over the city and dance until morning.

Hosted by illuminati AMS, Patta and Mo Manager, The Happening is all about location, location, location. Set in the glass-walled Rabozaal of Amsterdam’s Stadsschouwburg, this party promises great music and even better views. 

If free is your thing, then head to the SkyLounge at the top of the Hilton DoubleTree in Amsterdam where you can watch the fireworks, have a cocktail and ease into the New Year.

› Rotterdam

For the largest fireworks display, head to Rotterdam and line the Boompjeskade to see the spectacular National New Year’s Fireworks!

Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

Whether you plan on partying in a club, dressing to the nines, dancing in a warehouse, gazing at fireworks or simply relaxing with friends and family, the Netherlands is surely a great place to spend your New Year’s Eve.

Furthermore, in the spirit of the holidays and such a festive season, IamExpat is offering the chance to win 13 double tickets to various New Year's Eve parties throughout the Netherlands. For your chance to win, click here and comment!